What from causes springs, What mighty contests rise from things, I sing — This verse to Caryl, ! is due: This, even Belinda may to view: Slight is the subject, but not so the praise, If She inspire, and He approve my lays. Say what strange motive, Goddess! could compel A well-bred lord t'assault a gentle belle? Oh say what stranger cause, yet unexplored, Could make a gentle belle reject a lord? In tasks so bold, can little men engage, And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty rage?
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I sing of the dreadful offence that comes from love, and the mighty wars that start from trivial things. This verse belongs to Caryl — and Belinda may deign to read it. The subject is slight, but not so the praise, if she inspires me and he approves. Tell me, Goddess, what strange motive could make a well-bred lord attack a gentle lady? What stranger cause could make a gentle lady reject a lord? Can little men take on such bold tasks, and can such mighty rage live in soft hearts?